Both a Methuen family and a longtime member of the MethuenLife team were recognized with Excellence on the Hill awards last month at the Statehouse.
The Guerrero family of Methuen were among Hispanics from across the state recognized by the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus at a ceremony Sept. 25. The Guerreros, who immigrated from Ecuador, own LJ’s Café and LJ Market, both on Lowell Street. Not only do they serve up authentic Ecuadorian cuisine, but they never shy away from giving back to the community, whether donating food or sponsoring events. In addition, mom Carmen Guerrero is a nurse at Merrimack Health Hospitals, Luis is an immigration attorney, and Jason coaches soccer at Methuen High School.
They were nominated by state Rep. Ryan Hamilton who said, “This entire family is the definition of excellence and the City of Methuen is a better place because of the Guerrero family.”
Longtime local newspaper reporter and photographer Yadira Betances Muldoon was recognized for “dedicating her life and career to amplifying community voices, preserving cultural history, and ensuring that untold stories are brought to light,” according to state Sen. Pavel Payano, who nominated her for the honor. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Lawrence, her passion for writing began in childhood as a way to process loss. She built a distinguished 30-year career at The Eagle-Tribune, breaking barriers as the only Spanish-speaking reporter for many years. She told the stories of immigrants and the underserved, and was part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning team that covered the drowning of 4 boys in the Merrimack River – still the only Dominican woman in Massachusetts to receive journalism’s highest honor! Since 2014, she has written good-news stories for MethuenLife and she is very active with the Lawrence History Center, writing and photographing the stories of Lawrence and its residents for future generations. She’s a former Methuen resident and the widow of well-known and highly respected local sports reporter Mike Muldoon.
Congrats, Guerrero family! Shown are (from left) state Rep. Ryan Hamilton, Jason Guerrero, his brother Luis Steven, their father Luis Enrique, mom Carmen Geovanna and Sen. Pavel Payano. ML photo by Yadira Betances Muldoon
